22. Unleashing the Storm (2)

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The morning sun bathed the Kozuki compound in a golden light, casting long shadows as it rose above the horizon. Birds chirped cheerfully in the trees, and the air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers and fresh earth. The tranquility of the morning was a stark contrast to the previous night's intense training session.

In the main house, Kozuki Hiroshi sat at a low table, sipping his morning tea. The warm liquid was soothing, helping him ease into the day. As the head of the Kozuki clan, Hiroshi's days were often filled with meetings, training sessions, and the management of the clan's affairs. But today, something unusual would demand his attention.

A sharp knock on the sliding door disrupted the peaceful morning. Hiroshi looked up, setting down his tea with a sense of foreboding. "Enter," he called, his voice calm but commanding.

The door slid open, revealing one of the clansmen, a young man with a slightly anxious expression. He bowed respectfully before speaking, "Clan Head Hiroshi, I must inform you of something strange that has occurred in the training fields."

Hiroshi's interest was piqued immediately. "What happened?"

The clansman hesitated for a moment, then continued, "This morning, when I went to inspect the training grounds, I found the field in a state of devastation. The ground is charred, and there are deep cracks running through the earth, as if it had been struck by a lightning storm."

Hiroshi's eyes narrowed, the description unsettling him. A lightning storm? In the training fields? He knew that no one in the Kozuki clan possessed such a devastating Lightning Release technique—let alone any kind of Lightning Release. His thoughts quickly turned to his grandson, Kira. "Could it be?" he wondered.

"Show me," Hiroshi ordered, rising to his feet. His mind was already racing with possibilities, but he needed to see the damage for himself.

The clansman led Hiroshi through the compound, past the various training areas and towards the secluded field where Kira often trained. As they approached, the smell of burnt earth became more pronounced, and the air seemed to carry a faint charge, like the aftermath of a powerful storm.

When they arrived at the field, Hiroshi stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening slightly at the sight before him. The ground was scorched black, the grass and soil charred and cracked as if a lightning storm had passed through the area. Deep fissures marred the earth, and in some places, the ground seemed to have been blasted apart by immense force.

Hiroshi knelt down, examining the damage more closely. He ran his fingers over the charred ground, feeling the residual heat and the faint tingle of static electricity. There was no doubt about it—this was the result of a powerful Lightning Release technique. But who in the Kozuki clan could have performed such a technique? The answer was obvious.

"Kira," Hiroshi muttered under his breath, a mixture of pride and concern flickering in his eyes.

He stood up, turning to the clansman beside him. "Have the field repaired immediately," he instructed. "I will look into this personally."

The clansman bowed deeply. "Yes, Clan Head Hiroshi."

As the clansman hurried off to carry out his orders, Hiroshi remained in the field for a moment longer, his thoughts focused on his grandson. He knew that Kira had been training diligently, pushing himself to master new techniques, but this... This was something entirely different.

*What technique is he working on now?* Hiroshi wondered, his curiosity growing. Whatever it was, it was unlike anything the Kozuki clan had seen before. He would need to speak with Kira, to understand what he was doing and why.

But for now, Hiroshi had other matters to attend to. He would let Kira continue his training, but he would be watching closely, ready to step in if necessary.

---

Meanwhile, on another training field on the outskirts of the Kozuki compound, Kira was already busy overseeing the Eclipse members' training. The group had gathered early, their faces determined as they prepared for another intense session under Kira's guidance.

Kira stood with his arms crossed, his sharp eyes watching as the Eclipse members practiced Soru, the high-speed movement technique that he had spent months drilling into them. The air was filled with the sound of feet slamming into the ground and the sharp crack of displaced air as the members blurred from one spot to another, moving at speeds that were nearly impossible to track with the naked eye.

He nodded in approval, impressed by their progress. They had come a long way since the beginning, and their proficiency in Soru was a testament to their hard work and dedication.

As the members finished their drills, Kira called them together. "You've all made significant progress," he began, his voice carrying over the group. "Your proficiency in Soru is commendable, and I'm pleased with the effort you've put in."

The Eclipse members stood attentively, their expressions serious. They knew that Kira's praise was not easily earned, and they took it as a sign that they were on the right path.

"Now," Kira continued, "it's time to move on to the next phase of your training. In a week's time, we will begin learning the next technique—Geppo, or Moon Steps."

There was a murmur of excitement among the group, and Kira could see their eagerness. Geppo was a technique that allowed the user to essentially fly by kicking the air itself, an ability that was as awe-inspiring as it was practical in battle.

"Geppo will not be easy to learn," Kira warned, his tone serious. "It requires precise chakra control and immense physical strength. But I believe you're ready for the challenge."

He paused, letting his words sink in. "Spend this week polishing your Soru technique. Make sure you can execute it flawlessly. When we begin training Geppo, you'll need all the speed and control you've developed so far."

The Eclipse members nodded in understanding, their faces set with determination. They knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but they were ready for the challenge.

As the group dispersed to continue their training, Kira called Renji aside. The older Genin approached, his expression curious. "Yes, Lord Kira?"

"I want you to come with me," Kira said, his tone firm but not unkind. "We're going to the outer forest around Konoha to begin your Geppo training."

Renji raised an eyebrow, but nodded in agreement. "Understood."

As they made their way to the outer forest, Kira explained his reasoning. "Since you're the leader of the Eclipse, you need to learn Geppo ahead of the others. It's important that you're able to train them effectively when I'm not around."

Renji nodded, understanding Kira's logic. "I see. It makes sense. They need to see me as someone who can guide them, not just follow in their footsteps."

Kira gave a small smile. "Exactly. It's important to maintain the morale and respect of your team. If your subordinates learn a technique before you, it could undermine your authority."

Renji appreciated Kira's honesty, even if the reasoning wasn't explicitly stated. "I understand. I'll do my best."

When they reached the outer forest, Kira led Renji to a secluded clearing, the trees providing ample cover for their training. The air was cool and fresh, the sounds of nature creating a peaceful backdrop.

Kira turned to Renji, his expression serious. "Geppo is not an easy technique to learn. It requires precise chakra control and immense leg strength. You'll be using chakra to kick off the air itself, allowing you to essentially fly."

Renji listened intently, absorbing every word.

"I'll demonstrate first," Kira said, stepping back and taking a deep breath. He focused his chakra into his legs, feeling the energy build up as he prepared to execute the technique.

With a swift movement, Kira kicked off the ground and launched himself into the air. But instead of falling back down, he kicked off the air itself, propelling himself higher. It looked as if he was running on invisible platforms, each step creating a small burst of wind beneath his feet.

Renji watched in awe as Kira moved effortlessly through the air, his movements fluid and controlled. It was an impressive display of both power and finesse, and it gave Renji a clear understanding of what he needed to achieve.

Kira landed lightly back on the ground, his expression calm. "Now it's your turn," he said, motioning for Renji to try.

Renji nodded, steeling himself for the challenge. He took a deep breath, focusing his chakra into his legs, just as Kira had done. He bent his knees slightly, then pushed off the ground with all his strength.

The result was... not what he expected. Instead of gracefully soaring into the air, Renji launched himself upward, but his control faltered, and he came crashing back down to the ground with a heavy thud.

Kira winced slightly, but didn't offer any criticism. "Again," he said simply.

Renji pushed himself up, shaking off the impact. He was determined not to let this defeat him. He tried again, this time focusing more on his chakra control, trying to maintain the balance between power and precision.

He leaped into the air, and for a brief moment, he felt the technique start to work. He could feel the chakra pushing against the air, giving him a sense of lift. But then he lost control, and once again, he crashed to the ground.

Kira watched silently, his expression thoughtful. He knew that Geppo was a challenging technique to master, especially on the first few tries. It required a delicate balance of power, control, and timing, something that even seasoned shinobi would struggle with. But he also knew that Renji had the determination and drive to succeed.

"Don't get discouraged," Kira said, his tone firm but encouraging. "Geppo is difficult to learn, but with practice, you'll get the hang of it. Focus on your chakra control first. The power comes naturally once you've got the control down."

Renji nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow. He was frustrated by his failed attempts, but he could see the value in Kira's words. He needed to refine his control over his chakra, to make it respond to his will without hesitation or excess.

Taking a deep breath, Renji closed his eyes and concentrated. He visualized the chakra flowing through his body, gathering in his legs, pooling in his feet. He imagined the air as a solid surface, something he could push off of, just like the ground.

With a determined exhale, Renji kicked off the ground again. This time, as he launched himself upward, he felt the chakra respond more smoothly. His body rose into the air, and when he kicked off again, he felt a brief sensation of resistance beneath his feet—a step.

He didn't get very far before gravity took over, pulling him back down, but the difference was noticeable. He had managed to stay aloft for a moment longer, and that small success bolstered his confidence.

Kira nodded approvingly. "Better. You're starting to get the feel for it. Now, try to maintain that control and keep your chakra flow steady."

Renji tried again, and again. Each attempt brought him a little closer to success. He focused on the rhythm of his breathing, the steady flow of chakra through his legs, and the precise timing of his kicks. With each failure, he adjusted, refined, and learned.